Jaguar Reveal Refreshed XF and XJ Models for 2013

Highlights include a new supercharged V6 powerplant and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Jaguar has tweaked both its luxury sedan ranges for the 2013 model year, the most significant of these being an expanded powertrain range and a new automatic transmission. Two new highly-efficient gasoline units, in the form of a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 and a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, will join revised 2.2-liter four and 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel units, and the naturally-aspirated & supercharged 5.0-liter V8 gasoline engines.

The 2.2-liter turbodiesel is offered in two states of tune - with either 161hp and 295lb-ft or, with 197hp and 332lb-ft of torque - for the XF saloon and Sportbrake models, while the new 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline unit is good for 237hp and 251lb-ft of torque. Boasting figures of 335hp and 332lb-ft of torque, the new supercharged V6 unit may be 50hp weaker than the 5.0-liter V8, but this is countered by its superb gas mileage, which is now 25 mpg compared to 19mpg combined, an improvement of more than 30 percent. Jaguar has also ditched the six-speed automatic in favor of a new eight-speed 'box, now mated to the entire engine range.

V6 and V8 equipped cars will now have a Start/Stop system to further improve fuel efficiency by five percent. In terms of performance, the new V6 shifts the XJ from 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds and hits an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. A loss of 0.3 seconds over the current 5.0-liter model, Jaguar figures, is a small price to pay for the decreased fuel consumption. Jaguar is also offering the Meridian sound system previously reserved for the top-level XJ Ultimate throughout the XF and XJ line. Other interior changes include a revised infotainment system that features redesigned navigation, entertainment and connectivity screens.

Finally, a retuned suspension with recalibrated springs and dampers aims to optimize handling and ride quality of the XJ range. Specific changes relating to the US market have yet to be released, so the aforementioned info is subject to change. That said, the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 remains as is for 2013, something that we assume will be the case Stateside too.